Land Management Project Phase 3 Marks Successful Completion in Laos

Vientiane, November 26, 2024, A vibrant closing event took place to celebrate the success and achievements of LMDP 3. After five years of impactful work, the third phase of the Land Management and Decentralised Planning (LMDP 3) project is wrapping up its journey together with action plans for the next chapter set to begin in early 2025. This successful phase has significantly contributed to the development of rural areas in Laos. 

Throughout LMDP 3, the project successfully empowered 2,223 households by documenting their land use rights, surpassing the project's original goal. It also developed various advanced land management tools and systems, including the digital cadastre, LaoLandReg and the Land Use Information System (LUIS), which are now widely implemented across Laos.

Additionally, the project provided extensive training for local and national authorities on these tools and collaborated with Lao government partners to develop citizen-centred legislation and policymaking, with a strong emphasis on promoting gender equality among government officials.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Sysomphone Phetdaoheuang, Deputy General Director for the Department of International Cooperation at MPI, expressed appreciation for the project's lasting impact and its key role in the Lao Land Sector. "The LMDP has been a cornerstone of the Lao-German Land Programme, supporting Laos in land management efforts by improving existing mechanisms and legislation, and providing capacity building for government officials, investors, and villagers," he said. 

Nicole Stechmann, Deputy Chief of Mission at the German Embassy in Laos, also praised the project’s success, saying, "The achievements of LMDP3 are a testament to the dedication and hard work of our Lao partners, the GIZ team, and all involved stakeholders. Together, you have built a lasting legacy of sustainable land management in Laos." 

The event brought together representatives from the Lao government and the German Ambassy, development partners, local authorities, and project stakeholders. 

The German-supported LMDP project, launched in 2015, has played a key role in transforming land management in Laos. Phase 3, which began in 2019, specifically focused on promoting sustainable land practices and empowering local communities in the two project provinces, Houaphanh and Sayaboury. 

The project has been implemented by GIZ in close collaboration with key Lao government partners, including the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI), and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. 

Looking ahead, the LMDP 4 promises to take these achievements even further, building upon the successes and lessons learned during the third phase. Beginning in 2025, the follow-on phase will be co-funded by the governments of Germany and Switzerland, ensuring continued support for sustainable land management in Laos.